Read More

RSPCA inspector Sarah Gardner said the distressed animal was thin, appeared to be blind and had a huge tumour on its back as well as further tumours elsewhere on its body, reports the Derby Telegraph.

A gate leading to the path where the dog was found

She said: "The woman who found him didn’t see him at first as he had been hidden among brambles. She was only alerted to him because she heard a distressed bark.

"If he hadn’t have made a noise then he may well have never been discovered and could have died there all alone in the cold.

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

"I feel that whoever dumped him did so with the intention of leaving him there to die, as he was dumped out of sight.

"It is heartbreaking to think that someone believes it is acceptable to treat an animal like this.

The path where the collie cross was left to die

"He had clearly been suffering. If you have a pet then you are legally responsible for ensuring that they get veterinary treatment when they need it. The last thing a pet-owner should do is abandon the animal and ignore the situation.

"We don’t know how long this dog had been there for - he could have been there all night - but it is difficult knowing that the last few hours of his life were distressing.”